Van Persie hero of hour as Gunners celebrate 2-1 win

FT: Arsenal 2 Sunderland 1

Robin van Persie rescued Arsenal from another disappointing result with a fantastic winner against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium.

The Holland striker, who used his pre-match programme notes to declare his full commitment to Arsenal, put the Gunners ahead after just 29 seconds but the home side went in 1-1 at half-time thanks to an excellent free-kick from former Gunner Sebastian Larsson.

The game appeared destined for a draw as Arsenal proceeded to squander several good second-half chances, but Van Persie saved the Londoners’ blushes with a wonderful curling free-kick nine minutes from time.

A moment of brilliance from Arshavin almost gave Arsenal the lead with just under 20 minutes left.

The Russian danced past two Sunderland defenders into the box and nutmegged Michael Turner with a shot that went a yard wide of Mignolet’s goal.

Wenger made his final substitution, with Rosicky coming off for Yossi Benayoun while Connor Wickham came on for Sessegnon.

Brown’s clumsy challenge on Van Persie gave Arsenal another free-kick on the edge of the box with nine minutes left. The Holland international succeeded where his team-mates had failed before him by curling a brilliant set-piece into the top corner and then removing his shirt in a jubilant celebration.

Ji was then played into the box by Wickham and slotted past Szczesny, but his effort was rightly ruled out for offside.

Cattermole came off in the dying minutes for Gardner as Steve Bruce’s team looked for an equaliser.

They had a penalty appeal waved away by Webb for a challenge by Walcott on Colback in the Arsenal box.